Ethiopia, Eritrea preparing to seal trade agreement: MoFA

• 1,150 int’l companies visited Ethiopia

By Abdurezak Mohammed

ADDIS ABABA – FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that preparations are under way to reach trade agreement with Eritrea. 

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hirut Zemene told the media yesterday that Ethio-Eritrean trade agreements are being prepared and the legalization of trade between the two countries will strengthen the existing peace relations and will ensure economic benefits of the two countries.

“Ethiopia has also worked extensively in the area of peace and economic development with Djibouti, Kenya and other countries in the region”, she said. 

She remembered that Ethiopia played a great role this year to restore peace in the Republic of the Sudan.

On his part, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael said that 1,150 international companies – 159 are anchor companies – visited Ethiopia and 225 companies are under preparation to begin investment in Ethiopia. He said, “168 business forums were prepared to achieve this.”

About 67 joint ventures have been created to enable local investors to cooperate with foreign investors, according to him. 

He indicated that in this year 27,704 Ethiopians have been released from prisons in different countries and returned home. 

In addition, 112,615 people who were living abroad with no residence permit have been repatriated, he added.

The Ethiopian Herald, July 27/2019

Planting trees to achieve international commitments

By Abdurezak Mohammed

Many nations of the world have signed the 2014 New York Climate Summit goal worldwide by 2030. As it is essential to evaluate progress performances after agreements, the reporter decided to provide the readers Internationale and national status of the convention.

The immediate goal was to bring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. Up to November 2018, fifty-six governments and private organizations have pledged more than 168 hectares to the Challenge, according to Landscape Organization.

Among the other commitments: The Challenge bills itself as a direct contributor to the Convention on Biological Diversity Target 15, which states that 15 percent of degraded ecosystems will be restored by 2020, with their resilience and biodiversity aiding climate stocks; UN Convention to Combat Desertification goal to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality; and the goal of the UN Environment’s on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries program to combat deforestation and degradation.

Regional commitments, namely 100 million hectares in Africa under restoration by 2030 and Initiative 20 million hectares in Latin America and the Caribbean, under restoration by 2020, directly reference the Bonn Challenge as a broader commitment into which they feed.

The Bonn Challenge Barometer is currently in a beta-phase, with six countries piloting its use to track their restoration progress as well as discuss the implementation process with one another. It is expected to be officially launched by 2020.

Separately, in August 2018, India was the first country to release an official report on its progress toward meeting its commitments to the challenge (13 million hectares under restoration by 2020 and 21 million by 2030): 9.8 million hectares of land have come under restoration since 2011.

As well, International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that the Challenge’s 2020 target would result in USD 84 billion per year in income and benefits for rural communities. The 2030 target could bring 170 billion in net benefits and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to 1.7 giga tons.

 And Ethiopia is one of those signing countries. Ethiopia agreed to restore 22 million hectares of deforested landscapes in the country by 2030 in the 2014 New York Climate Summit’s goal of restoring 350 million hectares worldwide by 2030.

In addition to increasing forest coverage and restoring degraded lands, the country aims to enhance the forestry sector’s contribution to agricultural production systems, water and energy, to improve food and nutritional security, and to create more opportunities for employment and household income.

Ethiopian government has proclaimed numerous proclamations and also has signed several environmental protection conventions. It has also formulated an environment protection policy, strategy and program to promote and implement carbon neutral and climate resilient development and economic growth.

Ethiopia’s forest coverage has decreased over the past years and the country has suffered from the negative impact of climate change especially in relation to droughts in some parts of the country.

 And reports indicated that in 2017, millions of animals died in Ethiopia due to drought because of the scarcity of rainfall though encouraging progress has been made towards increasing the forest coverage currently.

In this year, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed launched National Green Development Action Program which aims at planting 4.7 billion trees, 40 seedlings per person, during the rainy season.

The premier has also recently informed the parliament that a record of 200 million tree seedlings planting in a day will be made in the country on July 29, 2019.

As many have agreed that Ethiopia’s effort on environmental protection has countless value for not only the country but also for neighboring countries.

Coordinator of National REDD+ Secretariat, Dr. Yitebtu Moges, told to The Ethiopian Herald that soil erosion and degradation are major causes for low productivity and vulnerability of smallholders.

He said that economic growth without forest development is impossible to imagine, because all our activities – agriculture, industry, electricity, urban development, and tourism –are related to forest development.

Planting of trees has many environmental benefits: balancing climate change, saving water by reducing evaporation, preventing water pollution, being food source and habitat for wildlife, reducing soil erosion and increasing fertility, according to him.

He further says: “If this year’s motivation on planting trees continues for the next ten consecutive years, we lay a great base for the development of our country and we have the chance to develop.” protecting the environment, especially through planting trees enables the nation to ensure food security.

Activities on environmental protection such as planting trees should not be just one time’s campaign, he argues mentioning, “studies indicate that about two third of Ethiopia’s rainfall comes from the forests in Western Africa.

Director General of Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), Fek-Ahmed Negash, to his part, also told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia’s environmental protection works have great value for Ethiopia and its neighboring countries, especially for lower Nile basin countries.

He reiterated that less environmental protection works harm Ethiopia more.And also in Ethiopia there is high level of soil degradation that reduces productivity and it leads us to poverty, he said, adding that we have to give high attention for planting trees to tackle poverty.

For him, currently Ethiopia is working on environmental protection well. “Ethiopia is well-known for its highest water resource among Nile basin countries as it contributes nearly 86 percent of water to the Nile River. So, Ethiopia’s effort on planting trees has great value to take care of the water.”

Planting seedlings has social and economic benefits in the form of flood controlling, reduction of sedimentation, regulation of water flow, uplifted energy, navigation and fisheries, according to him.

Therefore, if the current tree planting move started with 4.7 billion trees planting plan is repeated for several years, Ethiopia may achieve the 2030 forest coverage commitment before the schedule, the stakeholders believed mentioning that the performance after the convention is not yet measured internationally.

The Ethiopian Herald July 26/2019

Africa Hotel Investment Forum boosts Ethiopia’s tourism industry:Stakeholders

• The forum to be held in Addis Ababa in September

By Abdurezak Mohammed

The tourism industry has huge economic importance. But developing countries’ especially African countries’ are often constrained by the lack of infrastructure development, air connectivity and financing. 

Ethiopia is an example. The country is known for its beautiful landscape and rich ancient culture. And it has immense natural, cultural and historical attractions, but it is largely untapped on tourism market.

Comfortable hotels play a vital role in attracting tourists. But, until recently, Ethiopia did not have enough hotels recognized under international rankings or ratings. This made it hard for visitors to judge the quality of a hotel.

To support this, the government adopted a policy that allows duty-free imports of hotel furniture, fixtures and equipment. It also provides for favorable loans to investors for the construction of new rated hotels.

Ethiopia’s tourism sector showed a steady increase in the last decade. Especially, the hotel industry in Addis Ababa is booming. One of the various reasons for this development is that the city is a buzzing hub of economic, social and political activity and home to such notable offices as the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Addis Ababa has the third highest number of diplomatic missions in the world,sometimes referred to as the capital of Africa. There has been a visible increase in the number of tourists in Addis Ababa after PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s rapid reforms. But these increments are not sufficient to fuel Ethiopia’s ambition to become a powerhouse tourist destination in Africa.

This year’s Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) will be held in Addis Ababa between the 23rd and 25th September at Sheraton Addis Hotel. AHIF was previously held in Addis Ababa in 2014 and 2015.The forum is organized by Bench Global Business Events in collaboration with Calibra Hospitality Consultancy and Business Plc and relevant government institutions in Ethiopia –Tourism Ethiopia, Ethiopian Investment Commission and others.

Matthew Weihs, the Managing Director of Bench Global Business Events, stated that when AHIF returns to Addis Ababa at the end of September. It could bring over one and a half million dollars in direct benefit to the local economy, an additional two million dollars in indirect benefit and over a quarter a million in tax to the Ethiopian host government if spending at the 2019 event is a mere 10% more than when it was held in the city in 2014.

“The primary purpose of AHIF is to facilitate dialogue and ultimately deal-making between the top business people present”, he said.“I am aware of more serious investors coming with more money behind them than ever before, so it feels to me that the hospitality industry in Africa is rapidly becoming more mature and sophisticated”, he added.

He reported that looking back over the history of AHIF since the first conference in Casablanca in 2011, the event has made a total impact on the local host economies of $21.24 million of which $8.64 million is direct and $12.6 is indirect.

On her part, Lensa Mekonnen, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Ethiopia said that AHIF will provide an excellent opportunity to welcome the cream of the hotel industry to Ethiopia.

According to her, the main aim is to show them local assets and thereby attract more international-standard hotel and resort brands to establish themselves close to Ethiopia’s historical, natural and cultural sites, in addition to the capital city.

“By promoting regionally balanced development, we will attract more tourists to Ethiopia and encourage them to stay longer”, she added.

Temesgen Tilahun, Deputy Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission, stated that the forum is used to us as initial point to promote tourism industry.

According to him, this event is very important for Ethiopia basically, because the country’s tourism sector in general and hotel industry sector in particular are left behind. So, this forum is important for us to learn how the industry is works.

“It is a good platform for us to attract related African and global companies those are experienced in this sector”, he said.

The Ethiopian Herald July 26/2019

Legal, procedural changes relaxing doing business

By Abdurezak Mohammed

Encouraging private participation is at the top of government’s agenda but the regulatory environment remained a greasy pole to start and sustain businesses.

A fact that corroborates this claim is the World Bank Group’s annual ease of doing business report that ranked Ethiopia 159th among 190 countries. Countries are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1–190. A high ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a firm. The rankings are determined by sorting the aggregate scores on 10 topics, each consisting of several indicators, according to Doing Business 2019 report.

Ethiopia has, thus, rolled up its sleeves to improve the rank at least to 100th position. A steering committee led by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, comprising members including those with a ministerial portfolio as well as commissioners and Deputy City Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration periodically meet and review progresses achieved and challenges faced in the effort of providing a better conducive business environment.

A major focus of the sectors include but not limited to, according to Doing Business Database, ease of starting a business; dealing with construction permits; getting electricity; registering property; getting credit; protecting minority investors; paying taxes; trading across borders; enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.

The committee has identified 80 distinct actions to be delivered across 10 government agencies, according to Office of the Prime Minister. “The initiative is expected to make Ethiopia a competitive place to start and grow businesses.” Each and every sector has started to take measures that could improve the country’s ranking.

Public Relations Director of Ethiopian Investment Commission Mekonnen Hailu told The Ethiopian Herald that the Commission launched platform to give investment license and other services online. “We aim to cut time and cost incurred on businesspersons and to provide hassle-free services,” he said.

Also, the investment policy is being reviewed. Stakeholders as well have enriched it. To him, it will be ratified shortly. He further stated that the draft investment policy will address the constraints of its predecessor. For example, there were no details about areas of investment closed for foreign investors, and those reserved for domestic ones, he added.

For his part, Trade Practice and Regulatory Sector State Minister of Ministry of Trade and Industry, Eshete Asfaw, told The Ethiopian Herald said the Ministry has accomplished major tasks that make accessible commercial registration and business licensing.

It has as well removed a previously mandatory proof of lease or rental agreement for a physical business address that was required for registration and business licensing.

Publication of company names via newspapers and a 15-day waiting period for approval has been eliminated as it is a hindrance for business registration, he adds. The Ministry also will start online registration and business licensing, he notes.

Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) Dr. Yinager Dessie argues that one of the requirements to improve doing business ranking is the improvement of the credit system.

Hence, a new directive on credit information system and a draft proclamation on “Movable Properties Security Rights” are the two prominent undertakings NBE has undertaken over the past two months, he told The Ethiopian Reporter earlier last May.

“NBE’s credit registry database covered only 0.4 percent of the total adult population of Ethiopia until very recently, Yinager disclosed; however, the three million micro-finance customers who have been added to the database system, [has helped the bank] expand to six percent.”

According to the study of the World Bank, it takes 32 days to get business licenses in Ethiopia while Rwanda and Kenya managed to slash it to four and 11 days respectively.

According to Office of the Prime Minister, eight new laws and 40 procedural and administrative reforms were enacted over the past few months, to reduce the time, cost and procedural hurdles businesses face from startup to operation and exit.

The Ethiopian Herald, July 19/2019

Online business registration, licensing soon to begin

By Abdurezak Mohammed

ADDIS ABABA – Ministry of Trade and Industry said that it will soon commence online services that include commercial registration and business licensing systems.

The Ministry has developed digital systems that help facilitate online registration and licensing, Ministry of Trade and Industry Trade Practice and Regulatory Sector State Minister Eshete Asfaw told The Ethiopian Herald.

Around 1,049 branches out of 1,134 have so far been fitted with the technology to render all the Ministry’s 19 services, he said, adding that human power has also been trained and deployed at the branches. Additional 200 staff will receive induction training for five days following the commencement of the services.

Also, the Ministry has established a team of well-trained professionals that oversees and coordinates all the activities, according to him. The Ministry has as well been working in close cooperation with Ethiopian Electricity Utility, Ethio Telecom, Information Network Security Agency (INSA), Ministry of Innovation and Technology to make the online system more efficient and effective, he added.

The system is expected to improve the business and investment climate of Ethiopia, it was learnt.

The Ethiopian Herald, July 19/2019

Antroshit

Centuries-old honoring of motherhood

By Abdurezak Mohammed

Ethiopian Peoples have their own distinct and unique cultural values which have the power to capture the attention of any observer. Antroshit, mothers’ day among the Guraghe people, is one of the festivals that honor mothers and motherhood.

Antroshit always falls after the outset of the major rainy season [June, July, and August]. There is no fixed date, however, to the celebration of the festival. It generally is marked after the conclusion of planting saplings of Enset, a false banana, which is a source of staple food in the southern parts of Ethiopia.

The mothers celebrate Antroshit festival by organizing massive meals with their friends and by preparing traditional foods and drinks.

The Antroshit lasts two to three days. When the skies clear up, family members come home to celebrate with a large feast. It is also an event of a family reunion.

Feleke Abate, Head of Guraghe Zone Government Communication Affairs Office, stated that Antroshit festival has been celebrated among Guraghe mothers for many, many years. He said that the festival is mainly to honor women (mothers) for their hard work in improving the lives of their families and that of their society’s.

“Kids use the opportunity to show their love for their mothers, and husbands as well affirm their respect to their wives,” he said, adding that men shower their wives with gifts.

To him, during the time of the festival, the women celebrate the festival with a meal and they dance and sing songs that praise their family. When the mothers come home after the end of group celebration, the family organizes special reception for mothers while children express their affection and dignity to their mothers by washing their mothers’ feet, he added.

Public Relations and Communication Head at Guraghe Culture Development Association Mengistu Hailemariam told The Ethiopian Herald that from September to February of every year Guraghe mothers are busy with work. These months are the time for harvesting and planting enset.

“After these enervating months of hard-work, the Guraghe mothers celebrate Antroshit festival with the help of their children and husbands,” he added. According to him, the task of serving traditional food is divided among the girls and the boys; the children (particularly the young women) prepare traditional dishes while the mothers relax and enjoy the feast.

 Denchiza Haile lives in Cheha Bete-Guraghe and she has been celebrating the Antroshit festival with her friends for several years. Local resident calls her Ajyet, the name given to generous women. She said that the festival always creates a special feeling among women- “We refresh ourselves,” she said, adding: “Boys slaughter a bull, and girls bring vegetables, butter, spices, and cheese.”

Visitors, who want to go to the southern part of Ethiopia, need to put the place in their itineraries to observe and enjoy the traditional thanksgiving prepared to mothers.

The Ethiopian Herald July 12/2019

A ticket to mutual, sustainable resource utilization

By Abdurezak Mohammed

Lower Nile riparian countries’ hydro-dams suffer from sedimentation which cripples the efficiency of their dams. Greening programs of upper riparian countries is, therefore, a ticket to the longevity of service life of their dams.

For the last consecutive years, Ethiopia put lots of efforts to watershed development works and planted billions of seedlings, most of the trees have now contributed to the protection of the country’s environment.

In an interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) hinted the benefits of the ongoing National Greening Program.

To ENTRO’s Executive Director Fekeahmed Negash, Sudan, South Sudan, and Egypt would benefit out of the current effort.

Among Nile basin countries, Ethiopia contributes the largest share of water, over 86 percent, and the current effort, when it comes to fruition, is likely to increase the volume of water along the River Nile, he said.

“The sediment from Ethiopia has the potential to fill the dams of lower Nile basin countries.

This reduces the water holding capacity of the dams; causes water pollution and they spend much money to clean the water; and also it decreases their fish resources,” he stated.

The effort is likely to increase the water volume along the Nile course, and catalase the development of the basin countries.

 He also went on saying that efforts towards environmental protection will have social and economic benefits as it controls flooding, reduces sedimentation, regulates the flow of the water, uplifts energy production in addition to encouraging navigation and fishery.

This is in addition to the benefit the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would give to downstream countries.

As experts already ascertained the Dam, when sees completion, reduces silt and sedimentation to downstream countries of Nile.

Yet, the Dam is likely to ensure a regulated flow of water in the Nile course. This is a blessing, particularly to Sudan as it avoids the recurrent flooding.

This year alone, Ethiopia transplants young trees across its length and breadth. Around 4.7 billion saplings will take roots. And dry season care to the saplings has already been planned. The Ministry of Agriculture, jointly with other ministries, announced a plan to follow up the trees’ growth with the assistance of GIS.

The efforts challenge a BBC article Death of the Nile. A quote from the article reads:

“When it does rain, the storms are often fiercer, washing over a billion tons of Ethiopian sediment into the Nile each year, which clogs dams and deprives farmers of much-needed soil nutrients.

“Population growth has fuelled this phenomenon, as expanding families fell trees to free up more space and provide construction materials. Monster floods have also become much more common.

“As crops wither and food prices soar, many rural communities, who have historically relied on steady rains rather than rivers to irrigate their land, have been pitched even deeper into desperate poverty.”

The ongoing national greening program is, therefore, to improve the climate at the head water of the Nile that contributes over 86 percent of the waters of Nile. It, thus, ensures sustainable and mutual development of Nile Riparian countries. The lesson ought to be emulated by other countries of Nile Basin.

The Ethiopian Herald July 12/2019

Agency approves Chinese project’s design

By Abdurezak Mohammed

ADDIS ABABA – A design has been reviewed and approved for a 12-km of “Beautifying Sheger” project that the Chinese government develops, Addis Ababa City Administration River Basins and Green Areas Development and Administration Agency told The Ethiopian Herald.

The General Manager of the agency, Eng. Tsion Teshome, said that the design covers the 12-km riverbank from Entoto all the way to Peacock Park, and a 49-hectare of Central Square of the project. The project covers a total of 56-km on two rivers stretching from Entoto down to Akaki.

The construction of a central square in front of Sheraton Addis is being supported by the Chinese government, according to her. 

Stating as the project will not displace large number of residents, she said survey tasks have also been concluded.

The Agency is working on a detailed resettlement action plan, she added. She reiterated that the project basically aims at building the image of the capital while boosting its tourism potential. And also the project aims to create jobs during and after its implementation; increase riverside economies; transform urban tourism, and provide a recreational area for the city’s residents.

The Ethiopian Herald, July 12/2019

Ethiopian to commence 2019 Hajj flight

By Abdurezak Mohammed

ADDIS ABABA– The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it is going to commence this year’s first Hajj flight next Friday.

Briefing journalists on hajj operation 2019 at a Joint Press Conference by the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and Ethiopian Airlines Group yesterday, the Ethiopian Airlines Group said it has made all the necessary preparations to make this year’s Hajj Operations a success and this year’s first 2019 Hajj flight would have 268 passengers on the board out of the total 10,000 Ethiopian pilgrims.

The Ethiopian Airlines Group prepared 19 flights to transport the Ethiopian pilgrims and the number of flights will be depending on the number of travellers, it was learnt.

As reported over 30 supporters those speak different local languages will go to three places of Saudi Arabia – Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah – to support the pilgrims.

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, said that Ethiopian Airlines Group is happy to give this special chartered service to Ethiopian Muslim community, who are traveling to the Islamic holy land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to fulfill their religious duty.

“It is our national duty to ensure that they are able to get this service from their national carrier in the best possible conditions”, he said. Adding, the Ethiopian Airlines Group is ready to give convenient service to pilgrims in accordance with their religious needs.

Member of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Dr. Anwar Mustefa, said that over 10, 000 thousand pilgrims have registered for Hajj 2019 and the council is negotiating with Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Hajj, to bring the number of Ethiopian Pilgrims up to 15,000.

“According to the agreement half of the Ethiopian pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia by using Saudi Arabia Airlines. Accordingly, nearly 5,000 to 7,500 Ethiopian pilgrims are expected to fly Ethiopian airlines”, he said.

The Ethiopian Herald July 9/2019

Ethiopia earns USD 110 mln from exports by five industrial parks

By Abdurezak Mohammed

ADDIS ABABA – Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) reported that Ethiopia got 110 mln USD from the export goods of government Industrial parks in 2018/19 fiscal year.

IPDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Lelise Nemie, told journalists that among the seven industrial parks currently operational in the country five of them are producing exportable items and have secured about 110 mln USD in the current Ethiopian Fiscal year.

The revenue is 115 percent up from that of last year. The corporation has also collected Birr 316 mln from renting of sheds and selling of services, which has shown Birr 161 mln increase compared to last year.

“In addition to this, these industrial parks created job opportunity for 50, 000 permanent employees in manufacturing and nearly 39, 000 temporary employees in building the remaining industrial parks”, she said.

She said that, currently, seven industrial parks are operational, three of them – Adama IP, Jimma IP, and Debre Birhan IP – were inaugurated in this year, adding that the remaining four industrial parks of Bole Lemi II, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, and Kilinto are ready for operation.

According to her, many citizens have obtained short and long-term training in different industrialized countries.

“We didn’t encounter power interruption in this year and this played a great role for our export achievement”, she said, adding that the corporation is doing research in collaboration with Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Ethiopia to seek alternative source of power.

The Ethiopian Herald July 6/2019

Nat’l greening ultimately benefits Nile Basin: Office

ADDIS ABABA – The ongoing National Greening Program, an initiative of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, will hugely reward lower riparian countries of Nile, Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) said.

ENTRO’s Executive Director Fekeahmed Negash told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia is now actively putting various efforts in green economic development planting billions of seedlings, this, in turn, benefits the lower riparian countries of Nile – Sudan, South Sudan, and Egypt.

Among Nile basin countries, Ethiopia contributes the largest share of water, over 86 percent, and the current effort, when it comes to fruition, is likely to increase the volume of water along the River Nile, he said.

“The sediment from Ethiopia has the potential to fill the dams of lower Nile basin countries. This reduces the water holding capacity of the dams; causes water pollution and they spend much money to clean the water; and also it decreases their fish resources,” he stated.

Environmental degradation in Ethiopia not only affects the volume of waters of the Nile, but it also cuts the service lives of dams at downstream, he said, adding that the greening program tackles these and other challenges.

According to him, Ethiopia’s efforts towards environmental protection will have social and economic benefits as it controls flooding, reduces sedimentation, regulates the flow of the water, uplifts energy production in addition to encouraging navigation and fishery.

He insisted that there is, relatively, high level of soil erosion in Ethiopia. And the responsibility of protecting the erosion is mainly left to Ethiopia. But, the lower Nile basin countries should support Ethiopia’s environmental protection works, he added.

The premier’s initiative of the National Greening Program was launched by the end of last May and the program aims at planting four billion seedlings in this rainy season. Members of the diplomatic corps and various segments of the society have already participated in planting the seedlings.

Meanwhile, the premier as well as announced a day-long plan of planting 200 million tree seedlings which are in addition to the four billion seedlings.

 The Ethiopian Herald July 5/2019